Rotator Cuff Tears In Patients Research Articles

FALL-RELATED ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Tears of the rotator cuff tendons may occur as a result of tendon degeneration or from a single traumatic event but commonly a combination of these factors are in play. Rotator cuff tendon degeneration and accidental falls are both known to increase in incidence with increasing age. No study to date has sought to investigate the characteristic of accidental falls as a significant cause of injury in the rotator cuff tear population. We developed a 25 multi-step item questionnaire to investigate the source of injury in sixty rotator cuff tear patients. The majority, 32/60 (53.3%), reported a fall associated with their rotator cuff tear. The tears nearly always occurred on the same side as the fall. Most falls resulting in cuff tears were to the side and front rather than backwards. Our findings highlight that falls are the leading cause of injury in the rotator cuff tear patient population and describe characteristics of the previously under-recognized fall-related rotator cuff tear population.

Imaging Factors Related to Rotator Cuff Tear in Patients with Deltoid Contracture

Bony deformity and muscular malfunction around the shoulder induced by deltoid contracture may influence rotator cuff function and lead to subsequent tearing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the imaging and clinical factors related to rotator cuff tear in patients with deltoid contracture. We retrospectively reviewed 48 shoulders in 44 patients with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of deltoid contracture and surgically-proven rotator cuff tear. These shoulders were subdivided into partial-thickness and full-thickness tear groups. Another 17 shoulders in 17 patients with deltoid contracture but no evident rotator cuff tear were included as the control group. The characteristics, including age, gender and imaging features, of these three groups were compared. Two patients who underwent initial operations for cuff tears required secondary operations for distal release of deltoid contracture. The age of patients with full-thickness tear was significantly greater than that of patients with partial-thickness tear or without tear. The winging angle of the glenoid (WAG) in the full-thickness tear group was significantly greater than that in the partial-thickness tear group. Patients with partial-thickness tear also had greater WAG than those without tear. However, WAG was not significantly correlated with the fibrotic size or age of the patient. In patients with deltoid contracture, age and WAG are associated with the development of rotator cuff tear. To prevent the occurrence of rotator cuff tear, early surgical release of deltoid contracture is highly recommended, especially in patients with greater WAG.

Résultats de la ténotomie arthroscopique du chef long du biceps brachial dans les ruptures transfixiantes de la coiffe des rotateurs non réparées: À propos de 40 cas

Purpose of the study Appropriate treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears in patients without osteoarthritic shoulder joints remains a subject of debate. Medical treatment, a substitution muscle flap, and palliative arthroscopic treatment have been proposed. Arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii is warranted because this tendon is often the cause of part or all of the pain. If there is a full thickness tear of the rotator cuff, the exposed tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii can, because of its anterosuperior position, become impinged against the acromial vault during forward flexion. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii during treatment of full thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Material and methods The series included 40 shoulders operated on for tenotomy alone (n = 32) or in combination with acromioplasty (n = 8). The long head of the biceps brachii was in place in 23 shoulders (58%), displaced in seven and subluxed in five. The position was not determined in five. At last follow-up, the mean rough Constant score was 58 points, giving a gain of 20 points. The gain for pain was +7.1 points, +6.4 points for activity, and +6.6 points for motion. After the operation, muscle force for elbow flexion-supination was decreased 40% compared with an age-, sex- and dominance-matched control group. 86% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome and only two patients were disappointed by the asymmetry of arm muscle volume. Radiographically, at last follow-up there were no signs of superior excentration of the humeral head and the subacromial space, which measured 7.38 mm preoperatively was 7.19 mm postoperatively. Likewise only two shoulders progressed to excentered osteoarthritis at 41and 72 months. Discussion Mid-term results of arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii are satisfactory. The technique is simple and has limited functional consequences. The procedure has an undeniable impact on pain and has allowed a 34° gain in anterior flexion of the shoulder. Complementary acromioplasty was not found to provide a supplementary benefit in this series. Nevertheless, the degradation of the result in one female patient at six years suggests we should be prudent concerning the long-term benefit of this procedure which should be reserved for irreparable tears in patients with minimal functional demands.

Accuracy of Office-Based Ultrasonography of the Shoulder for the Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Tears

This prospective multi-institutional study was designed to define the accuracy of ultrasonography, when performed in an orthopaedic surgeon's office, for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. An anatomic diagnosis and a treatment plan were made on the basis of office-based shoulder ultrasonography, physical examination, and radiographs for ninety-eight patients (ninety-nine shoulders) with a clinical diagnosis of a rotator-cuff-related problem. The results of the ultrasonographic studies were then compared with the results of magnetic resonance imaging and the operative findings. Office-based ultrasonography led to the correct diagnosis for thirty-seven (88%) of forty-two shoulders with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear or both full and partial-thickness tears, twenty-six (70%) of thirty-seven shoulders with a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear only, and sixteen (80%) of twenty shoulders with normal tendons. In no case was the surgical approach (open or arthroscopic) that had been planned on the basis of the ultrasonography altered by the operative findings, but the operative finding of a full-thickness tear resulted in an arthroscopic cuff repair in four shoulders. Magnetic resonance imaging led to the correct diagnosis for forty (95%) of forty-two shoulders with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear or both full and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, twenty-seven (73%) of thirty-seven shoulders with only a partial-thickness tear, and fifteen (75%) of twenty shoulders with normal tendons. There were no significant differences between magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography with regard to the correct identification of a full-thickness tear or its size. The sensitivity of ultrasonography for detecting tear size in the anterior-posterior dimension was 86% (95% confidence interval, 71% to 95%), and that of magnetic resonance imaging was 93% (95% confidence interval, 81% to 99%) (p = 0.26). The sensitivity of ultrasonography for detecting tear size in the medial-lateral dimension was 83% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 93%), and that of magnetic resonance imaging was 88% (95% confidence interval, 74% to 96%) (p = 0.41). A well-trained office staff and an experienced orthopaedic surgeon can effectively utilize ultrasonography, in conjunction with clinical examination and a review of shoulder radiographs, to accurately diagnose the extent of rotator cuff tears in patients suspected of having such tears. Errors in diagnosis made on the basis of ultrasonography most often consist of an inability to distinguish between partial and full-thickness tears that are approximately 1 cm in size. In this study, such errors did not significantly affect the planned surgical approach.

Using support vector machines to optimally classify rotator cuff strength data and quantify post-operative strength in rotator cuff tear patients

Shoulder strength data are important for post-operative assessment of shoulder function and have been used in diagnosis of rotator cuff pathology. Support vector machines (SVM) employ complex analysis techniques to solve classification and regression problems. A SVM, a machine learning technique, can be used for analysis and classification of shoulder strength data. The goals of this study were to determine the diagnostic competency of SVM based on shoulder strength data and to apply SVM analysis in efforts to derive a single representative shoulder strength score. Data were taken from fourteen isometric shoulder strength measurements of each shoulder (involved and uninvolved) in 45 rotator cuff tear patients. SVM diagnostic proficiency was found to be comparable to reported ultrasound values. Improvement of shoulder function was accurately represented by a single score in pairwise comparison of the pre-operative and the 12 month post-operative group ( P < 0.004 ). Thus, the SVM-based score may be a promising metric for summarizing rotator cuff strength data.

Multivariate analysis of biochemical markers in synovial fluid from the shoulder joint for diagnosis of rotator cuff tears.

Multivariate discriminant analysis allowed definition of cytokine, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) levels in synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rotator cuff tears and other shoulder lesions. We analyzed SF aspirated from the glenohumeral joints of 17 patients with rotator cuff tears; SF from nine patients with other shoulder lesions was used to characterize a non-rotator-cuff-tear (NRCT) group. Discriminant analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in (1) the determination of whether rotator cuff tear patients are separable from the NRCT group using the influential functions, the most influential of which were interleukin 1-beta, MMP-2, and MMP-13, and (2) the assessment of whether full-thickness rotator cuff tears are distinguishable from partial tears using identical influential functions. The most influential function in the latter analysis was MMP-13. Both interleukin 1-beta and MMP-13 might be biochemical markers of impending rotator cuff tears.

회전근 개 파열의 관절경적 치료 시 관절된 관절와 상완관절의 동반 변화 -파열의 정도에 따른 차이-

Purpose: To identify associated findings in glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff tear and evaluate its clinical significance, we examined minor and major changes during arthroscopic or mini open repair. Materials & Methods: We reviewed 66 patients of rotator cuff tear treated from March, 2001 to January, 2004. Of 38 cases of small to medium tear, average age was 53 years old and involved in dominant arm in 27 cases. Of 28 cases of large to massive tear, average age was 58 years old and involved in dominant arm in 26 cases. Minor and major associated changes of the glenohumeral joint were evaluated in the tendon of biceps long head, biceps pulley, cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head, labrum and synovium. Results: Minor changes in biceps tendon were in 35% of cases, biceps pulley in 18%, cartilage of humeral head in 27%, cartilage of glenoid in 18%, labrum in 38%, and synovium in 42%. Major changes in biceps tendon were in 6% of cases, biceps pulley in 35%, arthritis of humeral head in 3%, arthritis of glenoid in 2%, labrum in 6%, and synovium in 21 %. Major changes in biceps tendon were 5% in Group I and 7% in Group Ⅱ(p>0.05) and in biceps pulley, 18% and 57% in each (P

Shoulder dislocation accompanied rotator cuff tear in patients above 50 years

Shoulder dislocation accompanied rotator cuff tear in patients above 50 years

관절경적 회전근 개 봉합술 : 1 - 4년 추시 결과

Purpose : To compare and analyze the results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair between partial rotator cuff tear and complete rotator cuff tear. Material and Methods : The authors studied 42 patients of rotator cuff tear with operation and followed over one year at Dankook university hospital from September, 1998 to March, 2001 The patient average age is 53 years and follow up period is 23 months (12-42mon1hs). We obtained 22 cases in the partial rotator cuff tear group and 20 cases in the complete rotator cuff tear group. In all cases, we used ASES methods to evaluated pain scale and function. Result : In the last follow up patients, the pain scale is decreased from 7.2 to 0.9 (ASES method : 34 to 91) in the partial rotator cuff tear group and from 7.6 to 1.2 (ASES method . 29 to 88) in the complete rotator cuff tear group, but there was no evidence of statistical difference between two groups (P>0.05). The range of motion after operation were increased in two groups. Excellent to good results were obtained 93％ and 95％ patients had pain relief and satisfied function. Conclusion : Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair showed good results for both of (ult-thickness and partial thickness rotator cuff tear patients in pain relief and improving the function.

Prevalence of rotator cuff defects in dislocated fractures of the humerus head in elderly patients

Humeral head fractures are commonly found in elderly patients. A high rate of spontaneous rotator cuff tears in this patient group may endanger good results following surgical treatment. 70 patients > 65 years with dislocated humeral head fractures were prospectively studied and treated surgically following a standardised treatment protocol. In all cases the rotator cuff was examined intraoperatively. A tear of the rotator cuff was documented in 4 cases (5%). The prevalence of rotator cuff tears in elderly patients with dislocated humeral head fractures is significantly smaller than expected referring to magnetic resonance-, sonographic and cadaveric studies of same-age patients without fracture. Therefore the rotator cuff may serve as retention anchor for the surgical treatment of dislocated humeral head fractures in elderly patients.

RELIABILITY OF A SIMPLE SHOULDER ENDURANCE TEST

Reduced shoulder endurance in rotator cuff tear patients has been observed clinically. A simple and inexpensive shoulder endurance test protocol was developed. This study reports the test-retest reliability of the protocol. Twenty healthy volunteers without a history of shoulder pathology participated in the study. Each subject was tested twice, each on a separate day. Test-retest correlation coefficients of the arm endurance times were 0.59 and 0.60 for the dominant and nondominant sides, respectively. The protocol appears promising for assessing shoulder function.

Age-related prevalence of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic shoulders

To determine the prevalence of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic shoulders we conducted a prospective clinical and ultrasonographic study of 411 volunteers. We anticipated an age-dependent outcome and divided the patients into 4 age-groups. Overall, we found evidence of a rotator cuff tear in 23% of the patients. In group 1 (aged 50 to 59 years), 13% (22 of 167) of the patients had tears; in group 2 (aged 60 to 69 years), 20% (22 of 108) of the patients had tears; in group 3 (aged 70 to 79 years), 31% (27 of 87) of the patients had tears; and in group 4 (age >80 years), 51% (25 of 49) of the patients had tears. An astonishingly high rate of rotator cuff tears in patients with asymptomatic shoulders was thus demonstrated with increasing patient age. At this stage it remains unclear, however, which parameters convert an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear into a symptomatic tear. As a result, rotator cuff tears must to a certain extent be regarded as “normal” degenerative attrition, not necessarily causing pain and functional impairment.

Surgical treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears in patients 40 years of age or younger

Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff are uncommon in the first 4 decades of life. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 19 consecutive patients who were 40 years of age or younger and had been treated surgically for a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff. Sixteen patients (84%) recalled an acute injury that heralded the onset of symptoms. Five of the patients had sustained an initial glenohumeral dislocation. At an average follow-up of 5.7 years, all patients were evaluated with regard to pain, function, range of motion, strength, return-to-work status, return-to-sport status, and overall postoperative satisfaction. After operation, 15 patients (79%) reported diminished pain relative to their preoperative level, and 12 (63%) of 19 were able to function with the extremity above shoulder level. Fourteen patients (74%) returned to full-time employment, and half returned to sporting activities. Thirteen patients (68%) reported subjective improvement with regard to daily functional activities after surgical intervention. The most favorable results were seen in those patients who had sustained an acute glenohumeral dislocation in conjunction with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and underwent combined stabilization and repair. The outcome for patients who received worker's compensation was less favorable.

術後１０年以上経過したけん板断裂例

From 1980, we have operated on rotator cuff tear patients with the same operative method namely, tendon to bone suture, lateral acromioplasty and coraco-acromial ligament resection. 16 out of 36 patients with a post operative period of more than 10 years were evaluated according to their JOA score. The mean age of the subjects was 65 years at follow-up and they were followed up for an average period of 12 years. They were evaluated before surgery and at an average period of five years after surgery. However, they were evaluated according to Wolfgang's criteria before surgery because of the absence of the JOA score at that time. As Wolfgang's criteria (x) and JOA (y) score correlate (y=3.1x+37.3, r=0.92), the preoperative score were converted into JOA score.The average JOA scores were 66.3, 94.3 and 94.7 before surgery, at five years and at 12 years after surgery, respectively. There was no significant differernce between follow-up at five and 12 years after surgery concerning the total and each item of the JOA score.From our study, it can be concluded that five years of follow-up is enough for patients operated on for rotator cuff tear.

肩回旋筋けん板断裂のＸ線所見について

The roentogenographic diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear includes well known changes such as osteophyte and osteosclerosis of the acromion, cystic changes and osteosclerosis of the greater tuberosities of the humerus, and upper migration of the humeral head.This study shows the causes of rotator cuff tears and the relationship between radiographic changes and cuff tears. We examined 24 rotator cuff tear patients and 40 cadaver roentogen films.Roentogenographic changes of the acromion and Numeral head occur following the cuff tear and there is no relationship between cuff tear and roentogenographic changes of the acromio-clavicular joints.

Inflammatory Cytokine Expressions of the Subacromial Bursitis and Glenohumeral Joint Synovitis in the Patients with Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare expression patterns of inflammatory cytokines between subacromial bursitis and glenohumeral (GH) joint synovitis in full thickness rotator cuff (RC) tear patients with severe pain.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We were able to obtain enough tissue from nine subacromial bursitis and GH synovitis patients at the same time during surgery and evaluate them. We compared mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines between the two groups using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).RESULTS: Relative mean mRNA expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, COX-1, COX-2 and SDF-1 in the tissues of subacromial bursitis and GH synovitis patients did not show significant differences.CONCLUSION: GH synovitis may be another source of shoulder pain with subacromial bursitis in full thickness RC tear patients with severe pain.